Revolting vitriol

Letters to the editor on Obamacare and shutdown, for Oct. 4, 2013

Sen. Reid insists on ignoring all of the individual appropriation bills being sent over from the House to reactivate specific areas of needed government activity, even though this is the usual practice for the Senate to approve such bills.

Ed Duffy

Chula Vista

Spend less money

Regarding, the Oct. 4 front-page story “Debt trouble looms as shutdown persists,” the Republicans have painted themselves into a corner, and the stakes will only get higher as the debt limit will soon exceed $16.7 trillion dollars. This whole debate is not about the Affordable Care Act; it is about the notion that the government can spend taxpayer money for an unlimited range of government services. This legislative approach is ridiculous on its face. Resources are always scarce. How can the president insist that he will “not negotiate” as an opening position? It is simply undemocratic.

Constitutionally, the House of Representatives “controls the purse,” by design. The line on spending must be drawn at some point in time — is now that time? I trust House Republicans will stand by their Constitutional roll and hold firm to their commitment to the American people. Government cannot spend (or borrow) an unlimited number of taxpayer dollars, no matter what “kindness” or “hardship” or “sympathetic cause” lawmakers claim to address. Government must spend less money.

Lloyd Kitson

La Mesa

Lost health insurance

I was very disappointed to have Aetna, with the passage of the Affordable Care Act, drop individual plans in California Dec. 31, leaving my wife, a breast cancer survivor, and my family facing the challenge of finding health care coverage.

My wife and I are both self-employed, apparently a cardinal sin. I am certainly happy 12 million Americans will get coverage, but why did the goverment-influenced market take ours away?

I hoped I would get answers from the CoveredCA.com website — no luck. I tried ehealthinsurance.com — check back in two week, they said. I frankly prefer the government to stay shut down if this all they can deliver.

Bill Sandke

Coronado

Texas rep’s behavior

To understand the depth of ignorance and denial of reality of some members of Congress, one need look no further than a film clip of Rep. Neugebauer (R-Texas) berating a D.C. park ranger as if she was responsible for the closure of the park where she worked. It boggles the mind to realize that people like this congressman are running (or more aptly, ruining) this country. If I was a Texan, I’d be hanging my head in shame at having someone of this ilk representing me.

Ron Weiner

La Jolla

ACA is done; stop it

The Affordable Care Act passed in 2010 and was upheld as constitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court.

There is nothing to negotiate. Congressional Republicans are now trying to save face to avoid looking like fools. It’s too late for that.

Kathleen Dorantes

Alpine

How many learn and vote?

Over sixty five years ago, a junior high civics teacher told my class that democracy requires educated citizens. She also stated that she probably

shouldn’t give semester grades for about eight years, when she could ask which of her students voted.

I’m wondering what percentage of our population who constantly complain have ever taken the time to know the issues about which they complain;